Liquid-measuring device



Nov. 12 1929. L. R. TITCOMB LIQUID MEASURING DEVICE Original Filed Jan.10, 1925 f su/a/von III];

INVENTOR I FE T1 10 0227b lee Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES- ATENOFFICE LEE R. TITCOMB, OF BROOKLYN NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AUTO- METER CO.INC., 01

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NEW YORK, Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE LIQUID-MEASURING DEVICE Originalapplication filed January 10, 1925, Serial No.'1,584. Divided. and thisapplication filed April 4,

i This invention relates to means for measuring and electricallyindicating the quantity of plication being for subjects-matter ofinvention divided from my co-pending application Serial-No. 158 1, filedJan. 10, 1925; It is the object of the present invention to provide animproved constructed and ar-- ranged variable electric currentregulating or rheostat device adapted to be connected with a source ofelectricity in circuit with an indicator-responsive to electric currentstrength, means being provided to connect variable amounts of theresistance device into the circuit, which means is controlled by a floatto rise and fall with the level of the liquid in a tank containing theliquid to be measured.

' The inventionrelates to a form of rheo stat device which is adapted tobe mounted n a tank with the resistance element extending amounts of theresistance" element into the indicator circuit, said contact makersbeing actuated by means controlled by the rise and.

fall of a float with theliquid level in the tank, and it is a furtherobject of the invention to provide improved'means for mounting arheostat device of this character in the tank whereby the resistanceelement and the contact makers are out of contact with the liquid, suchas gasolene or oil, in the tank and thus preventing the igniting of saidliquid by the creating of an electric are as the contact makers aremoved to circuit making position.

In the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this applicationFigure 1 is a 1011- gitudinal sectional view of my improved electriccurrent flow or rheostat device, showing Serial No. 267,261.

the same in connection with means for mounting it in a tank containingthe liquid to be measured to be controlled by the varying quantity ofliquid in the tank while maintaining the electric means out of contactwith the liquid, andshowing in a diagrammatic manner the electricconnection of the device with an indicator.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a mounting for the contact makers toconnect different amounts of the resistance element of the rheostatdevice in the circuit.

I have illustrated an embodiment of the invention in a diagrammaticmanner in elec-; trical connection with an electric indicator, shown ina conventional manner at 5, said instrument embodying a dial calibratedto indicate the liquid level in a tank, although it may be calibrated toindicate measure, such as gallons, and relative to which a pointer ismovable under the influence of variations in the strength of an electriccurrent, the pointer being normally urged to a certain position by abiasing force. One terminal of the instru-:, ment is connected with asource of current supply, such as a battery, shown in a conventlonalmanner at 6, by a conductor 7 which may have a switch 8 interposedtherein, the other terminal ofthe indicator also being,- connected withthe battery by grounding, as shown at 9, and in motor vehicle practicegrounded in the vehicle frame.

The electric current flow regulating or rheostat device is arranged tobe suspended. from an opening in the top of a tank T containing theliquid to be measuredto extend to adjacent the bottom, which. tank maybe the gasolene storage tank of a motor vehicle usually arranged at therear of the vehicle The rheostat device comprises a tubular member 10 ofnon-magnetizable but conducting material, such as brass, fixed atone end.centrally to a cap 12 by engaging the end in a boss, as at 11, andsecured therein by soldering or otherwise, the cap serving as a supportfor the rhe'ostat device and a closure for the opening in the tank. Theresistance element comprises a coil of insulated wire 13 wound aroundthe tube 10 and having one terminal connected by a conductor 14: withthe side of the battery opposite to which the instrument connectingconductor-7 is connected, the opposite terminalof the resistance coilbeing connected in circuit with the instrument by electricallyconnecting the same with the tube 10 and, grounding it,

through said tube and cap 12, or the tank, in the vehicle frame, asshown ina conventional manner at 15.

Different amounts oftheresistance element or coil are connected incircuit with-the in dicating instrument by a series of pairs of contactmakers 16' electrically connected in series with different portionsofthe resistance element and adapted to make contact with the tube 10,which tube isa; contact common to all the contact makers 16. The contactmakers are of magnetizable material pivotally. mounted on and inelectrical connec tion with pivot pins 17 mounted in ears 18 extendedlaterally from carriers in the form of split rings 19 embracing the tube10 and clamped thereto. by-a bolt extended through perforationsinears'at the ends of said rings,

as shown at 20'. There; are five of these rings equidistantly spacedalong the tube 10, and each ri'ng carries a pa-irof contact makers 16 atdiametrically opposite sides'th'ereof and of the tube. Thecontact makers16 are electrically connected withdifi'erent portions of the coilby-removing the insulation from a portion of the reslstance wire andconnecting t-hebared wire to the pivot pins 17 bylooping the wire oversaid pins and soldering thereto. The contactmakersnormally assume aposition by gravityin parallel relation to and out of contact with thetube 10, and are brought into electrical connection with the tubethrough the attraction of a magnet 21 within the tube. The tube 10 is incommunication with the liquid in the tank at the lower end through aport 22 in the lower closed end thereof, and the magnet is in. thenature of a float adapted to rise and fall with the liquid level in.the. tank and enteringthe tube is thereby positioned opposite to thecontact makers. It will be obvious that as there is an v increase in thequantity of liquid in the tank that there will be a corresponding riseof the liquid level in the tube and the buoyancy or pressure of theliquid on the float magnet will position the same. accordingly withinthe tube, the attractive force of the magnet drawing the contact 16which may be opposite thereto toward and into contact with the tubularmember and thus establishing the circuit through that portion of thecoil to which the contacts attracted to the tubular member areconnected. To relievethe tube 10 above the float of air as the floatrises therein saidtube above the float is in communication with theatmosphere through a port 23, said port communicating with a recessedportion at the outer side of the closure with which a port 24 in aclosure 25 for said recess communicates, the closure with said recessforming a chamber for the connection of the coil with the conductor 14whereby it is connected with the battery. By the arrangement describedany possibility of the float 21 being moved about in the tankwith thesloshing of the liquid when the indicating means is utilized inconnection with a motor vehicle to indicate the quantity of gasolene inthe gasolene tank, and a consequent variable or vibratory movement ofthe indicator is obviated, with the result that a true reading may beobtained from the indicating instrument as to the-quantity of gasolenein the tank. To maintain the coil and contact makers out of contactwiththe gasolene in. the tank and the possible igniting thereof by an arewhich may be created by the bringing of thecircuit makers 16 intocontact with the tube 10 in establishing the electric circuitanenclosing housing is provided for the resistance device, comprising atubular member 26 having screw. threaded connection 27 with the closurecap 12Vand the lowerend being closed by a closure 28 which also servesto close the lower endof the tubular member 10. The carriers 19101 thecircuit makers 16'may be made of insulatingmaterial, but when made ofconductin material are insulated from the tube 10 by interposinginsulating material between the carriers and tube, as shown at 29 inFigure 2.

It will be obvious that various modifications may be made inconstructionand arrangement of parts, and portions. of the invention used withoutothers, and come within thescope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention I claim 1. In electric current flowregulating means, an electric current resistance element, a tubularcarrier of non-magnetizable but conductingmaterial for said resistanceelement, contacts -mounted on and insulated from saidcarrier. andelectrically connected to different portions of the resistance element,and a magnet movable. within the tubular carrieroperative to attract thecontacts to said carrier and closethe circuit through differentportions-of thecoil and carrier. 7

2. In electric, current. flow regulating means, an electric currentresistance coil, a tube of non-magnetizable but'current conductingmaterial about which the coil is wound, said coil and tubebeing adaptedfor connection in circuit with asource of electricity, contacts carriedby and insulated from the tube electrically connected to differentportions of the coil and normally out of contact with the tube, and amagnet movablewithin the tube and operative to attract the contacts tothe tube to close the circuit and connect difierent portions of the coilin the clrcuit.

3. In electric current flow regulating means, an electric currentresistance coil, a tube of non-magnetizable but current conductingmaterial about which the coil is wound, one terminal of the coil and thetube being connected to a source of current supply, contact makerscarried by and insulated from the tube, said contacts being arranged inequidistant spaced relation along the tube and normally out of contacttherewith, a magnet movable within the tube and operative to attract thecontacts to the tube to close the circuit of the tube and coil with thesource of current supply and connect difierent portions of the coil intothe circuit.

4. In electric current flow regulating means, the combination with aliquid carrying tank, of a tube of non-magnetizable but currentconduct-ing material, means to suspend the tube in the tank to extendfrom the top to adjacent the bottom thereof, said tube being incommunication at the lower end with I the tank and at the top with theexterior of the tank, an electric current resistance element carried onthe exterior of the tube, a source of current supply connected to saidtube and one terminal of the resistance element, contact makers carriedby and insulated from the tube and normally out of contact therewith,and a magnet movable within the tube adapted to be variably positionedwithin the tube by the buoyancy of the liquid in the tank entering thetube and by and in accordance with the liquid level in the tank, saidmagnet being operative to attract the contact makers to the tube andclose the circuit through said tube and different portions of the coil.

5. In electric current flow regulating means,the combination with aliquid carrying tank, of a tube of non-magnetizable but currentconducting material, means to suspend the tube in the tank to extend fth top to adjacent the bottom thereof, saidtube being in communicationat the lower and with the liquid in the tank and at the top with theatmosphere exterior of the tank, anelectric current resistance coilwound about and insulated from the tube, contact makers pivotallysuspended from the tube and out of contact therewith, a source ofcurrent supply connected to said tube and one terminal of the resistancecoil, a magnet movable within the tube and adapted to be variablypositioned within the tube by the buoyancy of the liquid in the tankentering the tube and by and in accordance with the liquid level in thetank and operative to attract the contacts to and close the circuitthrough the tube and different portions of the resistance coil, and ahousing carried by the tube suspending means to enclose the tube with

